Vikings at Texans: Pioneer Press predictions

Texans 28, Vikings 20 -- In many, many ways, this is a bad matchup for the Vikings. They're confident right now and riding enough momentum to hang with Houston, but not for 60 minutes.

BRIAN MURPHY:

Texans 27, Vikings 17 -- Adrian Peterson entertains his homecoming throng by busting a few more highlight runs to inch closer to 2,000 yards, but the Vikings' playoff dreams perish in J.J. Watt's wingspan as Houston secures home-field advantage in the AFC playoffs.

TOM POWERS:

Texans 28, Vikings 13 -- Of course, Adrian Peterson could run for 500 yards or something and change the whole dynamic. And the Timberwolves did just trounce the Thunder, demonstrating that weird things can happen in sports. But overall, the Texans are pretty darn good.

BOB SANSEVERE:

Texans 23, Vikings 17 -- Maybe if the Texans didn't have something to play for themselves, it would go the other way. Expect 150 yards or more from Adrian Peterson, though.

CHARLEY WALTERS:

Texans 28, Vikings 10 -- The Texans' defense is too tough, even for Adrian Peterson, who is held to fewer than 100 yards for the first time in his past nine games.